Des Plaines River Trail-Old School to Independence Grove

Mettawa, Illinois 60048

If you like riparian landscapes, you’ll love the Des Plaines River Trail as it winds alongside tree-laden riverbanks, through dense bottomland woods, alongside ponds, and over footbridges spanning the river. There are also quiet oak savannas and many acres of tallgrass prairie thick with goldenrod, asters, and big bluestem prairie grass.
Dogs must be leashed. Trail junctions are well marked, indicating access points and the Des Plaines River Trail heading north and south.

Des Plaines River Trail-Old School to Independence Grove

Mettawa, Illinois 60048

If you like riparian landscapes, you’ll love the Des Plaines River Trail as it winds alongside tree-laden riverbanks, through dense bottomland woods, alongside ponds, and over footbridges spanning the river. There are also quiet oak savannas and many acres of tallgrass prairie thick with goldenrod, asters, and big bluestem prairie grass.

Dogs must be leashed. Trail junctions are well marked, indicating access points and the Des Plaines River Trail heading north and south.

Des Plaines River Trail-Old School to Independence Grove Professional Guide

Detailed Trail Description from our Guidebook

"If you like riparian landscapes, you’ll love the Des Plaines River Trail as it winds alongside tree-laden riverbanks, through dense bottomland woods, alongside ponds, and over footbridges spanning the river. There are also quiet oak savannas and many acres of tallgrass prairie thick with goldenrod, asters, and big bluestem prairie grass.

Dogs must be leashed. Trail junctions are well marked, indicating access points and the Des Plaines River Trail heading north and south."

On kiosks in the forest preserves at the hike’s beginning and turnaround point (paper maps sometimes available at the kiosks); interactive trail map for all Lake County forest preserves at maps.lakecountyil.gov/trailmap USGS Libertyville, IL